Reading the periodic table

Navigating the periodic table

Find the information you need

Periods are horizontal rows.

The period number (1-7 ) is on the left .

Groups/Families

• There are 18 groups /families.

• Groups/Families have similar chemical properties.

• Groups/ Families are vertical columns.

• The group number is located at the top of the column. (1-18)

Metals/Nonmetals /Metalloids

• Elements can be classified as

• metals

• non-metals

• metalloids

Energy Levels/Electron shells

The period number is equal to the number of electron shells or energy levels in an atom of an element.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost electron shell or energy level. The group/family location indicates the number of valence electrons. ( See image)

Family names

Some of the families are named. Examples include the Alkaline Earth metals, the Alkali Metal, and the Noble Gases.

Groups and Families are similar.

Elements in the same Group or Family have similar chemical properties.

Reading the Periodic Table

In the Symbol box, the Atomic Number (the smaller number) equals the number of protons and the number of electrons. The Atomic Mass is the larger number is equal to the mass of 1 atom of the element.

Calculating Neutrons

To calculate neutrons, the atomic number is subtracted from the atomic mass.